So what is 'endangered species' in Japanese?

It's that time of year again. The Japanese whaling fleet has set sail for some more 'scientific' whaling and apart from the standard target of Minke whales they are now after endangered Fin whales and similarly endangered Humpbacks will be on the menu too soon apparently. A little more from Greenpeace on this here.

Now, I like Japan, I like a bit of Karaoke now and again, they do some good animation, their attention to technical detail is renowned. However, this whaling crap under a scientific banner is very, very wrong. Stop it. Now. Or we're sending in the RIBs.

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John Fowles dies aged 79

Also, I only just realised the author John Fowles died last Saturday. I certainly have fond memories of The Collector and The Magus and he was one of those sorts who enjoyed conservation and wasn't afraid to express an opinion, apparently, which seems pretty good to me. You may remember he also made Lyme Regis, his adopted home, famous through The French Lieutenant's Woman (although that evokes a few too many images of Meryl Streep for me).

The BBC obit is here and I also noticed their 'Magazine' take on bloggers' reports of the event here.